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Belle Ami categorically states that her book is an "Out of time thriller". In my view, the book does not fit in the authentic "Thriller" category at all, but more of romance in a historical setting. The sense that there is looming danger or urgency to act fast, or a deadline to get the mission done, is totally missing.

Did you find a specific reason to label it as a thriller?

Definitely not a thriller. Does not have the pacing, the tension, the plotting, the tactics of a thriller. And there were no guns! Except for Alex's big gun, LOL.

I enjoyed the book, despite the many meals and long lingering kisses.

I'm surprised that the author chose that category. None of the reviews or descriptions I've seen remotely fall into the thriller genre.

Yup, that's a great point of view and I agree. Also, unlike The Da Vinci Code, the movie by Dan Brown, I concur, The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci is more about past lovers who expose themselves to modern-day lovers, regarding Leonardo da Vinci's most infamous secret painting. Or shall we say the painting that no one ever thought existed? In addition to what you stated, "that there is no looming danger or urgency to act fast or an exact deadline to get the mission complete".

Yes, based on the reviews it definitely doesn't sound like a thriller.

After reading "The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci," I agree that the book does not have all the stereotypical elements of a thriller, which is partly due to the early revelation of Scordato's malicious intent. However, I actually would still classify Ami's work as a thriller for the following reasons:

- In my opinion, a thriller is a story that involves a mystery or crime; and "The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci" involves solving the mystery of the existence or non-existence of a painting. Furthermore, Max Jaeger wanted to find evidence that could clear his uncle's name.

- Lastly, I believe that the "looming danger" is represented by Scordato's persistent threat to perpetuate the vicious cycle of everyone's past lives.

You said that there is a lack of urgency and impending doom isn't there, but I would have to disagree.

They have to find the painting before history repeating itself, and the way history repeats itself is with the death of Giuliano, and then again with Gerhard, due to the assassins. They literally have a fated, limited amount of time to recover the painting for the sake of Alex's life.

Does that not consist of urgency and impending doom?

Because I have to say, especially reading the last few chapters, I was on my toes with anticipation, wondering if their history really was going to be stuck on repeat or if they were going to find the painting and end the cycle of death and heartbreak.

joycechitwa wrote: ↑28 Jul 2018, 04:41 Belle Ami categorically states that her book is an "Out of time thriller". In my view, the book does not fit in the authentic "Thriller" category at all, but more of romance in a historical setting. The sense that there is looming danger or urgency to act fast, or a deadline to get the mission done, is totally missing.

Did you find a specific reason to label it as a thriller?

I completely agree with you Joycechitwa. It did not seem a thriller to me at all but a romantic novel with more of romance and its lengthy descriptions mentioned in the novel.

Definitely not a thriller. The pacing, the tension, the plotting of a thriller are not there in it. The book is nice but surely not a thriller.

I agree with everyone's opinion. Definitely not a thriller. The plot is different and mild haha and far from my definition of thriller.

No, I was a little confused by the title after reading the book. Definitely not a thriller. A historical romance with some suspense, yes.

There is the history surrounding the world war two. That's a classical thriller scene. Secondly, Alex actions in tracing the lost painting was in itself a thriller. He set out on establishing the truth.

I agree with you. Maybe Belle Ami had the intent of this being a thriller, but got too lost in the romance for it to be considered a thriller. I think that a more accurate title would be an out of time story. I don’t know if I’m going to continue the series or leave it where it lies.

The book is on the face of it a romance novel. There are little thriller scenes. For instance, I think there's thriller in sergeant Alex going in search of the stolen artistic arts.

joycechitwa wrote: ↑28 Jul 2018, 04:41 Belle Ami categorically states that her book is an "Out of time thriller". In my view, the book does not fit in the authentic "Thriller" category at all, but more of romance in a historical setting. The sense that there is looming danger or urgency to act fast, or a deadline to get the mission done, is totally missing.

Did you find a specific reason to label it as a thriller?

I agree, it was a romance and not a thriller, and it should have been marketed as such to avoid the disappointment I've seen from some of the other reviewers.